- Gagra choli
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Female Model posing in Ghagra Choli
Gagra choli or Ghagra choli, which is also known as Lehenga choli, is the traditional clothing of women in Rajasthan[1][2] and Gujarat[3]. Chaniya choli is another term commonly used to refer it.[4]It is a combination outfit of a Lehenga, tight Choli and a Dupatta.
Contents
Lehenga
A model in a ghagra choli with embroidery work.Lehenga or Ghagra[5] is a form of skirt which is long, embroidered and pleated. It is worn as the bottom portion of a Gagra choli. It is secured at the waist and leaves the lower back and midriff bare.[6] It was introduced by the Mughals.[7] Lehenga is a typical feminine silhouette that epitomizes style, craftsmanship, quality and class of Indian clothing.[8]
Fabrics
The lehengas are made of a number of fabrics such as Silk, Cotton, Georgette, Crape, Net, Satin, Brocade and Chiffon.[9] Even though designers have successfully used the various kinds of fabrics for making the lehenga, silk is still the most preferred fabric. Silk Lehenga is considered to be the most beautiful version of old traditional attire, as it used to be in Mughal era.[10] Silk lehengas are timelessly classic. They have been in vogue since olden times and will always remain so. They own a special place in the fashion world as they are suitable to be worn for all occasions.
Decorative Stitching
Apart from the fabric, decorative stitching patterns also play a role. Lehengas come with a wide variety of decoration work like zari, zardozi, embroidery, diamante work, beads embroidery work, kundan work, mirror work, etc.[11]
Styles of Ghagra choli
The ghagra cholis can be worn in different styles. The styles basically differ based on the lehenga designs.[12] Following are some of the basic styles;[13][14]
Picture Style Description 
A-line Lehenga A-line lehengas are typical. They flow down in A-shape and are ideal for pear shaped brides. 
Circular Lehenga Circular lehenga, as the name suggests, is circular in shape and has a large circumference. This style is the pick of those who yearn for exclusivity and elegance. 
Fishtail/Mermaid Lehenga Fishtail Lehenga sticks to your body from the waistline and flares down at the bottom, apt for the curvaceous and an hourglass frame. This sort is flawless for those who love to go glam.It is somewhat similar to the Hobble skirt of the Western Fashion. 
Panelled Lehenga Panelled lehenga, the best lehenga, offers the right amount of flare and a perfect fall. 
Straight Cut Lehenga Straight cut lehenga is the customary style of Bridal Lehenga. It flows down in a parallel manner and fits every shape and body type. With straight cut and tapered Lehenga, it is advisable to have soft fabrics rather than stiffer fabrics. 
A Rajput bride wearing a pink lehenga.Festive Attire
The lehenga choli is the favourite female apparel worn during festivals, weddings or special events in India. This is due to traditions as well as of the fact that it is available in a number of fabrics with many different decorative choices.[15] Traditionally the sari and the lehenga choli are the most popular garments for the bride in India.[16] But it is a common bridal attire mostly in North India.[17]
Modern Fashion
Femina Miss India 2011 Contestants in low-rise ghagra cholis.Due to modern fashion trends, lehenga cholis have now become a fashion statement. The cholis has become shorter and is sometimes substituted with Western crop top, halter neck or baby doll tops.[18] Along with saris, low-rise navel revealing ghaghra cholis have emerged. Designer Manish Malhotra's Fashion Week collections regularly highlight low waisted ghaghras accompanied by short cholis. Such ghagra cholis are more commonly worn by the Bollywood celebrities.For example, Actress Priyanka Chopra was featured in a low rise ghagra choli designed by designer Ritu Kumar on the opening show of the HDIL India Couture Week 2008 held in Mumbai.[19][20][21] At the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2011, she was featured in a low rise ghagra choli designed by Neeta Lulla.[22] Recently in the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2011 event,all the finalists walked the ramp in modern white low-rise ghagra cholis.[23]
Bollywood Celebrities in Ghagra Cholis
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Anjana Sukhani at Lakme Fashion Week.
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Shriya Saran at Aamby Valley City India Bridal Week 2010.
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Soha Ali Khan at Beti Gitanjali's show at IIJW 2011.
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Raima Sen at Geetanjali Luxury Style Festival 2007.
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Amisha Patel walks for Rocky S at Aamby Valley City India Bridal Week 2011.
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Yuvika Chaudhary in Sabbah Khan Show at Lakme Fashon Week 2011.
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Geeta Basra on day 1 of Lakme Fashion Week 2011.
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Raageshwari at The Indian princess Finale at Chitrakoot, Andheri, Mumbai.
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Mugdha Godse at HDIL Invitation cup awards 2011 night at Race Course.
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Bruna Abdullah at Anmol jewellers 25th anniversary bash at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.
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Sofia Hayat at Lakme fastion Week 2011 Day 4.
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Hindi television actress Ragini Khanna at Star Parivaar Awards Promo Shoot in Mumbai.
Item Numbers
Item numbers have found its place in Bollywood from the early 1950s.It required revealing clothes for the dancing female to look attractive.But the ghagra choli being worn for an item number became popular due to Madhuri Dixit's performance in the film Khalnayak(1993) for the controversial song "Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai" in a red ghagra choli.[24][25] After which many number of Bollywood item numbers had featured the female dancer in a ghagra choli outfit.[26]Of which the most famous are the ones performed by actress Malaika Arora Khan. She featured in revealing ghagra cholis for the hit songs "Chaiyya Chaiyya" in Dil Se (1998)[27] and "Munni Badnam" in Dabangg (2010).[28]
References
- ^ Rajasthan (district Gazetteers) - Rajsamand
- ^ People of India: Rajasthan, Part 1 - K. S. Singh
- ^ Gujarat, Volume 1 - Rash Bihari Lal, Anthropological Survey of India
- ^ India perspectives, Volumes 3-4 - India,Ministry of External Affairs
- ^ Fashions from India - Tom Tierney
- ^ Social Science a Textbook in History for Class IX as per New Syllabus - FK Publications
- ^ Fashions from India - Tom Tierney
- ^ Types of Indian Lehengas - nrigujarati.co.in
- ^ Types of Indian Lehengas - nrigujarati.co.in
- ^ The latest fashion trends in saree collection - newsbycompany.com
- ^ The latest fashion trends in saree collection - newsbycompany.com
- ^ Lehenga styles
- ^ Styles of Lehenga Choli - NihalFashions.com
- ^ Types of Indian Lehengas - nrigujarati.co.in
- ^ Lehengas-An Elegant Wear - Pooja Lapasia
- ^ Fashionable wedding attire - The Hindu
- ^ India - R.I.C. Publications
- ^ Indian Dress Fashion By Pauline Weston Thomas - Fashion-Era.com
- ^ Priyanka's fashionable walk - movies.ndtv.com
- ^ HDIL India Couture Week - hindustantimes.com
- ^ Priyanka dresses up for India Couture Week - IBNLive
- ^ Priyanka Chopra: Luscious in Lace at Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2011 - sawfnews.com
- ^ PFMI 2011 finalists - feminamissindia.indiatimes.com
- ^ The Dancing Queen of Bollywood
- ^ Choli ke peeche kya hai?
- ^ Bollywood's Ghagra moments
- ^ Top 10 Navels in Cinema - India Today
- ^ Rise of the Navel 'Bollywood navel fashion has led to re-emergence of sari' - India Today
External links
See also
- Lehenga Style Saree
Clothing in South Asia Clothes Achkan • Ajrak • Bakhu • Blouse • Burqa • Choli • Churidar • Dhoti • Dupatta • Farshi Pajama • Gagra choli • Ghoonghat • Gamchha • Gamosa • Gharara • Gho • Jamavar • Jodhpuri • Jubba • Kabney • Kasta sari • Kaupina • Khalat • Kira • Kota doria • Kurta • Lehenga Style Saree • Langa oni • Langota • Lungi • Madisar • Mekhela chador • Mufti • Mundu • Mundum Neriyathum • Naga shawl • Nehru jacket • Onnara • Patiala salwar • Riha • Sari • Salwar kameez • Sambalpuri Saree • Sarong • Set-saree • Sherwani • Toego • Uttariya • WonjuHeadgear Stitching/designing Categories:- Indian clothing
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